AI Twice as Fast at Spotting Foetal Problems in UK Trial

Accurate and Efficient Detection of Foetal Abnormalities

LONDON: Artificial intelligence can help detect foetal abnormalities from pregnancy scans nearly twice as quickly but with the same accuracy, according to the results of a UK trial published Thursday.

Speed and Accuracy

The trial, which included 78 pregnant women and 58 sonographers, focused on looking for heart problems in the 20-week scans, but researchers said the AI could look for any abnormality. It was also more reliable and 42% quicker than humans when it came to taking foetal measurements, with sonographers no longer needing to pause, measure and save images during the scan.

Improved Efficiency for Sonographers

"Our research has shown that AI-assisted scans are accurate, reliable and more efficient," said lead author Thomas Day. "We hope that using AI in these scans will free up precious time for sonographers to focus on patient care, making the experience more comfortable and reassuring for parents," he added.

Real-Life Impact

Ashleigh Louison was one of the pregnant women involved in the trial, which detected heart disease in her unborn son Lennox. "Receiving an early diagnosis for Lennox was really important as it meant we could properly plan the road ahead," she said. "I know that some conditions can be hard to spot and so I’m excited at the prospect of using new technology that can help address this."

Wider Rollout in London Hospitals

The tool is now being rolled out more widely in a number of London hospitals.

Conclusion

The trial demonstrates the potential of AI to improve the detection of foetal abnormalities, reducing the time and effort required by sonographers while maintaining accuracy. This technology has the potential to improve patient care and outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What was the aim of the trial?
  The trial aimed to evaluate the accuracy and efficiency of AI-assisted pregnancy scans in detecting foetal abnormalities.
• How did the AI tool perform compared to human sonographers?
  The AI tool was more reliable and 42% quicker than humans when it came to taking foetal measurements, with sonographers no longer needing to pause, measure and save images during the scan.
• How many pregnant women and sonographers participated in the trial?
  The trial included 78 pregnant women and 58 sonographers.
• What was the outcome for Ashleigh Louison, one of the pregnant women involved in the trial?
  The trial detected heart disease in her unborn son Lennox, allowing her to properly plan the road ahead.